Union Minister Anurag Thakur Highlights OTT’s Role in Bridging Geographical Divides

Anurag Thakur, the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, highlighted the role of Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms in breaking geographical barriers. He noted that OTT platforms, which gained significant popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, have eliminated boundaries and allowed content from around the world to be embraced by global audiences. Thakur specifically mentioned the success of Korean content as an example of this phenomenon.

Speaking at an awards program, Thakur emphasized that “soft power” knows no boundaries. He credited the COVID-induced lockdown for the substantial growth of OTT platforms. He expressed optimism about the potential for Bengal, known for visionaries like Rabindranath Tagore, iconic filmmaker Satyajit Ray, and talented artists like Arijit Singh, to captivate OTT audiences worldwide with fresh content in the near future.

Regarding the regulation of OTT content, Thakur posed the question to the stakeholders, considering that families consume the content. He pointed out that the viewership of Indian Premier League (IPL) matches on mobile phones surpassed that of television, underscoring the increasing preference for streaming content.

Thakur also celebrated the recognition of Indian content in the entertainment industry, citing the song “Naatu Naatu” and the documentary “The Elephant Whisperers” receiving accolades at the Academy Awards 2023. He congratulated the award recipients for their contributions to the fields of art and entertainment.